West Fork fire grows beyond 70,000 acres; weather a problem

A helicopter works the fire as the West Fork Fire continues to burn near Creede on Sunday, June 23, 2013. The West Fork Fire grew to more than 70,000 acres overnight. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

PHOTOS: West Fork fires evacuations

Tiny towns in southwest Colorado that are normally flush with tourists this time of year were practically ghost towns, fully or partially evacuated Sunday by a trio of fires called the West Fork complex.

Containment or control?

"None whatsoever," said Penny Bertram, a spokeswoman for the National Incident Management Organization team that is leading the massive deployment against the blaze.

"It looks like it could be just like this for the next few days."

There is no estimate for when residents and tourists might return, she said.

"I can't predict with any specificity," incident commander Pete Blume said when asked about when evacuations might be lifted. "I could say it's going to be five days to a week."

The edge of the fire was about 3½ miles southwest of South Fork, a tourist town of about 600 permanent residents and 300 homes.

The three fires — the West Fork, Windy Pass and Papoose — have forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the town of South Fork. Twenty-one miles to the northwest, the town of Creede was on alert Sunday, as the fire moved in that direction.

The complex of fires held steady at a little more than 70,000 acres on the western edge of Colorado's San Luis Valley.

No structures had been lost as of Sunday, but firefighters are setting blazes around cabins that lie in the path of the fire to halt the encroaching flames and protect the structures.

Crews on Sunday established lines they hoped would keep the fire away from the Wolf Creek Ski Area, but fire engines were at or near the resort to provide protection, fire managers said.

The fires have closed numerous roads and trails in or near the 108-square-mile burn area. U.S. 160 is closed near South Fork, and Colorado 149 is closed from South Fork to Creede.

Between 1,000 and 1,500 residents and tourists were evacuated from South Fork on Friday. There were no evacuations in Creede, contrary to reports earlier Sunday, Blume said.

A battalion of more than 400 firefighters, 31 engines, 10 helicopters and other equipment were battling the fire being whipped by 40 mph wind gusts Sunday afternoon. More help is expected to join the fight Monday, Bertram said.

The weather will be an enemy. A critical "red flag" fire danger warning is in effect until 9 p.m. Monday, meaning embers swept away by the gusty winds will find a receptive host in the region's vast acres of spruce beetle-killed trees and drought-parched brush.

"That's just ideal for rapid fire spread," Bertram said.

The West Fork Fire continues to burn near Creede, Colorado on Sunday, June 23, 2013. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

Hot, dry weather has lingered over the region for five days, and could last until Thursday across most of the state, when some thunderstorms are possible, said Kyle Fredin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boulder.

"There really isn't a cloud from here to California," Fredin said Sunday. "There is little change in the current weather pattern; it favors extreme fire conditions."

Investigators said they believe the fire was initially started by lightning June 5 about 15 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs.

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